10 ideas to change the world: our just IMAGINE if… finalists

Student concepts that use technology to reduce water use in halls and reduce fast fashion in Colombia are among those in the running to win funding and support from a University of Reading scheme.

Ten ideas that aim to solve global challenges have been chosen as finalists in Reading’s just IMAGINE if… 2026 scheme, created by its Chancellor, Paul Lindley OBE.

Open to Reading students and alumni across the world, the social enterprise research grant scheme is this year offering £5,000 and a year of expert mentoring from Henley Business School academics to three selected applicants.

The finalists will each now be supported to pitch their ideas to a judging panel, including the Chancellor, in September 2026. They will also have opportunities to pitch for investment to the Henley Business Angels network and the University for research support.

Here we take a look at the 10 finalists and their ideas.

V-Vet - Godfrey Dekera (Student)

V-Vet is an AI-powered livestock platform that provides veterinary advice to smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. These farmers are often secluded from professional vet services, so this solution provides quick access to information that can help them save the lives of their animals. Godfrey, a Master’s student in Applied AI for Business, is providing the AI and software engineering expertise.

Agricultural Intelligence - Ethan Francis (Student)

Agricultural Intelligence is building an AI-powered smartphone app that identifies and counts crops and weeds and detects diseases. This supports food production while generating valuable datasets for researchers, agronomists and growers. Ethan, a Master’s student in Agricultural Development, is working with academics on the idea.

WattKnights - Diana Mizina (Student)

This idea aims to use low-cost sensors, automated controls and AI tools to monitor and reduce water use in university halls. Diana, an International Business student at Henley Business School, was inspired by her own experience of living in halls at Reading, during which she noticed how easily energy and water consumption can become invisible when bills are included in rent.

Riki Medical - Cian O’Neil (Student)

Riki is a handheld fatigue detection device for healthcare workers. The idea developed from the final year dissertation of Biomedical Engineering graduate Cian, who had seen through family the toll that fatigue can have on NHS workers. Cian is using data collected at the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to develop a prototype device.

DUNA - Paula Garzon (Student)

DUNA is a climate-smart luxury sleepwear brand with a hidden thermal layer that keeps women warm at home without bulky layers or high heating bills. Founder Paula, an MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation student at Henley Business School, aims to use DUNA to empower women in vulnerable communities in Colombia through fair employment, while tackling fast fashion with durable, long-lasting designs.

RobinHood2 - Steven Orito (Student)

RobinHood2 is a solar-powered ‘lab in a box’ that enables any farmer to cultivate beneficial bacteria to fertilise soil. These biofertilisers are currently unaffordable for smallholder farmers but are important for sustainable crop production. Steven is a funded soil microbiologist in Geography and Environmental Sciences at Reading.

The Access Directory - Matt Bridger (Alumni)

The Access Directory (‘The AD’) is a proposed social enterprise and charitable initiative that aims to make places more welcoming and safe for people with disabilities, such as wheelchair users. Created by BSc Regional Sciences graduate Matt, The AD would be an independent, trusted rating and information system providing accessibility information on venues across the UK.

RIFFAI - Kolatat Katoussano (Alumni)

RIFFAI aims to use AI-powered satellite analytics to help identify suitable locations for renewable energy facilities, such as solar farms and offshore wind power, to speed up their development. Kolatat graduated from Reading with a BSc in Real Estate and MSc in Urban Planning and Development before co-founding RIFFAI.

AqvaBios - Elias Montanari (Alumni)

AqvaBios is a social enterprise providing affordable, nature-based wastewater treatment for rural and under-resourced communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The treatment method, pioneered by Henley Business School graduate Elias, uses native aquatic plants in wetlands to clean water without chemicals or electricity.

Abiliti - Arnav Collaco (Student)

Abiliti is a device that brings gait monitoring and analysis to standard walking canes. This gives better insight to physiotherapists and better outcomes for patients managing long-term mobility conditions. Abiliti was founded by Arnav, a final-year Biomedical Engineering student at Reading.